Fujifilm selects Apago technology for Aozora proofing translator

Wednesday, November 06, 2002

Press release from the issuing company

Aozora taps Apago’s powerful file conversion technology
Alpharetta, GA; November 5, 2002 — Apago, Inc., a leading developer of workflow efficiency software, today announced that Fujifilm’s Graphic Systems Division selected Apago to supply the file conversion technology for the new Aozora translation software used with Fujifilm’s FINALPROOF digital halftone proofing system.
The Aozora software, which Fujifilm introduced at Graph Expo 2002 in Chicago, unlocks the capabilities of Fujifilm’s FINALPROOF digital halftone proofing system to a broad constellation of users with third-party workflows. It also features fully automated hot folder support, manual queuing capability, job priority control, and simultaneous file capability. In addition, Aozora is capable of supporting up to 16 spot colors as well as a unique high-resolution file viewer.
Unlike other software currently available, Aozora translates native LW, CT and ASSG file formats, including pre-separated and multiple file sets, to TIFF-IT P1 or 8-bit TIFF files. Native translation eliminates errors and delivers higher productivity, giving Aozora users a competitive advantage. The translated files can then be processed through Fujifilm’s Proof Manager software and output to the Fujifilm FINALPROOF, a highly automated, roll-fed system.
Dwight Kelly, Apago president, explains, "When Fujifilm wanted to add support for third-party workflows, we were able to rapidly develop the software for Aozora by tapping key technologies in our extensive software library and adapting them to Fujifilm’s needs. Apago’s software library includes flexible application frameworks, workflow and file conversion technologies that are powerful and highly configurable."
Performance exceeds expectations
"Fujifilm selected Apago to supply the technology for Aozora from a field of 15 competitors," notes Don Schroeder, senior product development manager for color proofing, Fujifilm Graphic Systems Division. "We chose Apago because they have extensive knowledge of third-party workflows and a track record of bringing products to market quickly," says Schroeder.
After the Aozora software had been developed, it was given rigorous Quality Assurance testing followed by intensive beta testing. Schroeder’s group picked several of their most demanding production users to beta-test Aozora and allowed them to post issues to both Fujifilm and Apago through the Internet.
"Translation of file formats can be tricky, so there are always issues during the testing phase. But in the short time it took us to get back to the customer, Apago often had already fixed the problems," says Schroeder.
"The strong partnership between Apago and our development group enabled Fujifilm to meet our time-to-market objectives for Aozora and to exceed our performance specification."